When I first saw the reviews, I thought it would be a fantastic place for a first manicure, but once I saw the actual place, it changed my mind completely. It's a very small place with 1 table and the two ladies work on the same table. Because of this, I wasn't expecting much. If you're expecting a full manicure here, look elsewhere. It is design ONLY.
Hygiene:
They do NOT use new tools on you. The girl (Maggie) working on my nails used the file the owner just used on her client on me because she couldn't find hers. They also use the same drills for every client that walks through the door and didn't change her gloves before working on me nor do clients (or workers) wash their hands before the "manicure". Talk about gross.
Manicure (paint job):
She didn't file my nails very straight. I only realized this when I got home that one of my nails were slanted. Also, since I wasn't expecting a manicure, I would have thought she would have at least pushed my cuticles back before painting. WRONG. I still have so much space on my nail. And of course, no creams/lotions or exfoliators. EDIT: the gel polish was applied on VERY thick. Not enough to burn in the light, but enough that they were bulges on my nails.
Overall, I feel that the lack of hygiene turned me off a lot from this place and I will be going elsewhere for a proper manicure. You would think that nail techs or any person working on clients would have basic knowledge on hygiene. I could have done this myself (one colour and a design) instead of paying $48 for someone else to do it on me. I would rather pay $50 for a proper full manicure.